Nouran Gohar reveals she nearly lost her life after a blood clot

Nouran Gohar has revealed that her absence from the court concealed an ordeal far more serious than pregnancy and childbirth: she suffered a blood clot in her foot and says she nearly lost her life. The Egyptian champion made the revelation after returning to competition, a comeback that ended in defeat in the semi-finals of the Egypt International Squash Championship, its third Diamond 2026 edition.

On Thursday evening, she lost 3-1 to Amina Orfi, currently the world number one. Gohar, a former world number one, had returned to competition after more than six months away from the court, an absence linked to her pregnancy and childbirth. “I have never been this emotional before, and I am experiencing very conflicting feelings. I am very proud of myself, of course; there is a lot happening behind the scenes that people know absolutely nothing about,” she said.

She also explained how serious the health scare had been: “I want people to know that it was not just the pregnancy; I had a blood clot and I really almost lost my life. I now have two stents in my leg, so it is much more than just a pregnancy… People have no idea what I have been through; only those very close to me know the truth.”

In her view, the defeat was not the result she deserved, but she believes better results will come. She said that five months earlier, when her daughter was born, she would have found it hard to believe she would already be playing this kind of match. Against the world number one, while ranked 52nd herself, she felt she had opportunities in the third game but did not take them.

For Gohar, the challenge is about more than the result: she is also trying to reclaim her natural place in major matches. She pointed to match fitness and consistency, as well as the decisions required on court. “No matter how hard you train, you certainly will not reach this level in the second tournament you play after your return,” she said.

She compared the match with one against Hania in Florida, which she lost after returning from injury. At the time, she had been proud to play 100 minutes without foot pain, something she had not been able to do during the previous six months. Despite her disappointment, she is focusing on the opportunities to improve and looking ahead.